The Merlin Theatre aired their views on Radio 4 on Tuesday http://tinyurl.com/6qmx34r about the impact of the cuts in funding from Somerset and Mendip councils and the Arts Council at 21 minutes in - check it out soon, only online for four days.

It is very important that people who care about the arts and local theatres listen to what people at the Merlin Theatre have to say about the impact of the county and district councils' cuts, and the Arts Council's lack of funding, for the future of the venue, today, before it goes offline!

A sudden drop in public funding from over £100k, to £3k (only Frome Town Council's grant remains) in a year would be a challenge for any organisation to survive, but I have seen that theatre staff and volunteers have been very busy on fundraising activities to help the Merlin survive and thrive.
And there is a new hope.

Cllr Adam Boyden, Frome College ward